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First real purchase advice wanted: one ski quiver on a modest budget - Page 2

post #31 of 59
6/8/12 at 5:12pm

If they aren't in good shape, or something feels sketchy about the deal, buy from a reputable dealer.  I'd recommend Starhaus or Dawgcatching; they both have new condition 2012 Bushwackers (flat, no bindings) for somewhere in the $400-450 range, are both owned and represented by Epicski members who contribute frequently with excellent reviews and advice, and are both on the West Coast, so hopefully could get you the most reasonable shipping costs.

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post #32 of 59
6/8/12 at 5:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoichi View Post

 

No problem, it's not like in some mad rush or anything. Thanks for the insight.

Also, I've heard quite a few people find the Prophet 98 better than the 90, even on groomers so you might want to give them a shot sometime.

 

Alright, thanks. Unfortunately I'm not planning a trip to the states in the near future, and I don't know anybody who is this year. However, I have discovered that in general it is possible to find more than a few places offering reasonable shipping prices.

 

 

 

So, currently, I'm still waiting to hear back from the guy selling the ex-demo Bushwhackers (180) on ebay - I've asked about both shipping and how much use they've had. Assuming they have not been heavily used and that he doesn't comeback with an absurd offer for shipping I think they're the best deal for me right now. That's $400USD + shipping, and at a fairly reasonable estimate of $150USD for shipping that works out at around $825NZD after shipping and customs.

 

My next best options so far are new Prophet 98s (186 only) from the UK without bindings for an estimated $765NZD all up or some new Bushwhackers (173 or 180) also from the UK and without bindings for an estimated $715NZD because they offer free shipping. There are also some new Prophets (179 or 186) being offered on ebay for almost the exact same price (~$765NZD total).

 

I'm hoping the ex-demo bushwhackers will turn out to be in good nick and that I'll be offered a decent shipping rate, but I'm a bit torn about what to do if they aren't. Comments?

post the exact auction that you are looking at; and i think people can give you advice on if it looks good or not, but the fact they put griffon bindings on the skis probably means they are a reputable place.

 

As with anything ebay, I think the ratings pretty much tells the tale. If it comes from a skishop don't worry too much about it.  I would re-iterate my advice that if it is a shop; then you still maybe you can still buy directly and save some extra money that way.

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post #33 of 59
6/8/12 at 5:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DesiredUsername View Post

If they aren't in good shape, or something feels sketchy about the deal, buy from a reputable dealer.  I'd recommend Starhaus or Dawgcatching; they both have new condition 2012 Bushwackers (flat, no bindings) for somewhere in the $400-450 range, are both owned and represented by Epicski members who contribute frequently with excellent reviews and advice, and are both on the West Coast, so hopefully could get you the most reasonable shipping costs.

 

I had alreay found those two ;) but thanks anyway.
Starthaus has them at $420USD and shipping at $272USD, which works out at about $1000NZD or so after everything (GST...). Dawgcatching gave me a quote of 130-170USD for shipping and they're going for $450USD, which comes out at around 900NZD. Both are still better than paying $1200 for them over here, but dawgcatching is basically my fourth option after what I listed on the previous page, because Europe seems to be somewhat cheaper at the moment - probably the ratio of exchange rate to sale price.

 

The ebay auction doesn't seem particularly dodgy (top-rated seller) but there's no way I'm touching them until I hear about usage/gouges etc as well as well the shipping cost.

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post #34 of 59
6/8/12 at 5:24pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by raytseng View Post

post the exact auction that you are looking at; and i think people can give you advice on if it looks good or not, but the fact they put griffon bindings on the skis probably means they are a reputable place.

 

As with anything ebay, I think the ratings pretty much tells the tale. If it comes from a skishop don't worry too much about it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190683126936?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

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post #35 of 59
6/8/12 at 5:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoichi View Post

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190683126936?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


Seller has nearly 6000 transactions with 100% positive feedback.  If you use PayPal they guarantee you against deadbeat sellers 100%.  I'd say that is a solid deal.  I'd buy them for that price.  If my household wasn't 50% unemployed I probably would have bought them out from under you hahaha..

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post #36 of 59
6/8/12 at 5:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by crgildart View Post


Seller has nearly 6000 transactions with 100% positive feedback.  If you use PayPal they guarantee you against deadbeat sellers 100%.  I'd say that is a solid deal.  I'd buy them for that price.  If my household wasn't 50% unemployed I probably would have bought them out from under you hahaha..


And that, good sir, is why I did not originally post the link :p

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post #37 of 59
6/8/12 at 7:02pm

Nothing at Level Nine that interests you? They have max shipping rates of $95 to Aus and I'd presume NZ. Buy a few extra things to make  it even better value. Bummer about the import duties, we still get $1000 tax free though the local retailers obviously hate it.
 

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post #38 of 59
6/8/12 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mauricem View Post

Nothing at Level Nine that interests you? They have max shipping rates of $95 to Aus and I'd presume NZ. Buy a few extra things to make  it even better value. Bummer about the import duties, we still get $1000 tax free though the local retailers obviously hate it.
 

Not unless you want to recommend me something. I guess the BBRs are sort of an option, but I'm not seeing anything that I feel will compete with $400 for ex-demo Bushwhackers + Griffons pricewise. I will reconsider if going after this pair of ex-demos doesn't work out.

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post #39 of 59
6/8/12 at 7:39pm

The auction says skis come tuned, and the pictures look nice

 

here's their store info a:

sounds legit to me

http://www.skiessentials.com/about.htm

or

http://pinnacleskisports.com/

 

Your credit card should also help you with any problems as well.

I personally would at least give it a shot and call them up to see if cutting out ebay will yield a cheaper price, but that's just me.

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post #40 of 59
6/8/12 at 7:49pm
Thread Starter 

Their site says $125USD for shipping to NZ. That's reasonable.
 

Not sure why they have the skis listed at $500 on the site but $400 on ebay though. Odd.

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post #41 of 59
6/8/12 at 9:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoichi View Post

Not unless you want to recommend me something. I guess the BBRs are sort of an option, but I'm not seeing anything that I feel will compete with $400 for ex-demo Bushwhackers + Griffons pricewise. I will reconsider if going after this pair of ex-demos doesn't work out.


Their range is pretty thin compared to earlier in the year. I was going to try the palmer PO1s  http://www.levelninesports.com/Palmer-P01-All-Mountain-Twin-Tip-Skis but ended up with head rock and roll from paulski.com.au  here in Australia for $265 . They ship to NZ but again all the bargains have gone by now.

 

Have you ever tried the local Kingswood skis, Ive heard good things about them.

 

Overall it sounds like the Bushwackers are the best deal except for the high freight fees

BTW Whats the $ limit before you pay import  tax?

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post #42 of 59
6/8/12 at 9:09pm
Thread Starter 

I haven't tried Kingswoods but I've heard really good things too. If my budget could stretch that far I would gladly buy a pair, probably Archetypes but that's just because of what sort of snow I get the most opportunity to ski.

 

We don't have to pay GST on items under $400NZD, or more correctly we don't have to pay GST on items if the GST cost would be under $60NZD, which at the current rate of 15% means items under $400.


Edited by Yoichi - 6/8/12 at 9:26pm
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post #43 of 59
6/9/12 at 11:47am

Trade Me had some mint Kingswood Archetypes for sale $550 just the other day. They didn't last long, that was a good buy.

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post #44 of 59
6/9/12 at 1:57pm
Thread Starter 

Yeah, not really surprised, they are like $1300 new and everything I've heard about them says they're pretty fantastic.

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post #45 of 59
6/9/12 at 3:35pm

Thanks for asking the question I wanted to know too. I'm looking at Line Prophet 98's at the R'n'R Sport sale- $NZ990 plus bindings. The comments seem favourable for extending my fun off piste and hopefully into powder. Planning to add to my 6yr old Solomon scramblers with a 75mm waist.

Good luck with your search.

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post #46 of 59
6/9/12 at 3:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MickM View Post

Thanks for asking the question I wanted to know too. I'm looking at Line Prophet 98's at the R'n'R Sport sale- $NZ990 plus bindings. The comments seem favourable for extending my fun off piste and hopefully into powder. Planning to add to my 6yr old Solomon scramblers with a 75mm waist.

Good luck with your search.


Sorry, is that $990 with or without bindings? If it's the former, that's actually pretty decent for over here.

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post #47 of 59
6/11/12 at 3:12pm
Thread Starter 

Paid for the Bushwhackers this morning - they ship tomorrow, and I can't wait for them to get here so I can try them out. Thanks to everyone for your advice!

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post #48 of 59
6/11/12 at 4:20pm

You're welcome.  Glad to have you aboard the forum.  We need more southern hemisphere folks to keep things going through May-November.

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post #49 of 59
6/11/12 at 6:11pm

Congrats on the purchase! Let us know how you like them.

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post #50 of 59
6/11/12 at 6:16pm
Thread Starter 

I will certainly post something describing what I think once I get some days on them. Hopefully I'll get the opportunity to demo some stuff around the same time, so I can actually compare them to some of the other skis mentioned here (particularly thinking of the Kendo and P98).

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post #51 of 59
6/12/12 at 9:18am

No, forget the other skis.  You have your Bushwackers coming.  Get to know them, ski them for a while so you have a pretty good idea of what they're like, before you do much comparison. 

 

Congrats on the purchase.

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post #52 of 59
6/15/12 at 9:45pm

I'm your size and weight and I ski primarily in California, which I'm guessing might be a bit like NZ as far as the kind of snow.  I ski K2 sidestashes 181cm everyday on trips and they're fine in all conditions. They're 108 at the waist. I'm no longer an aggressive skier.  Are they as nimble as a narrower ski--of course not, but they hold an edge on the groomers just fine. A ski in the 100-110 range with tip rocker and traditional camber underfoot seems to be a pretty good one ski quiver, unless you love the bumps.  The more rocker the longer you need to go. At home I ski narrower skis on groomer days to keep from wearing out the Sidestashes. I think it's easier to ski groomed on a modern wide ski than heavy powder with a narrow ski--so my skis keep getting wider. (In blower pow anything works.) In the states I would hope to pay about 50% of retail (not manufacturers list price) for last years demos. (50% of the ski price+50% of the binding price). I don't know how things are in NZ. Last years demos seem like a good deal to me--I suspect most of them don't see as much use as the personal skis of a serious skier.  I've heard it said that skis have about a hundred days in them (that was about right for my mantras)--if that's correct (and I'm sure others will disagree) At 50% for a ski with 80% of it's life left you're getting 30% for free.

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post #53 of 59
6/19/12 at 2:23am
Thread Starter 

So, my Bushwackers arrived today. Minor scratching on the topsheets but that's about it - the undersides are in great condition. Can't wait to try them out.

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post #54 of 59
6/19/12 at 12:27pm

beercheer.gif

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post #55 of 59
6/19/12 at 7:44pm

Good choice. Finally. biggrin.gif

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post #56 of 59
6/25/12 at 10:47am

Head Peak 90 or the Atomic theory or atomic Nomad TI would fit the bill all are good all Mtn skis that will rip Hard Pack and ski off trail. I know Level Nine sports has a good deal on the Nomad TI and Peak 90 and they do ship to New Zeland and Australia 

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post #57 of 59
7/3/12 at 2:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoichi View Post

So, my Bushwackers arrived today. Minor scratching on the topsheets but that's about it - the undersides are in great condition. Can't wait to try them out.


 Let us know how it's going!!!!

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post #58 of 59
7/3/12 at 3:10pm
Thread Starter 

Well, as it happens, I got my first few days in last week... and they're fricking awesome. Still getting used to them (they ski waaaaaaaay different to my old Cuts, obviously), but I love the feel - really enjoyed them.

 

So far I've tried them on groomers, hardpack, bumps, but only a little real powder (I hope to correct that this weekend, though - heading to a different part of the country with a better base etc.) Oh, and a little ice, too xD.

 

Thanks a lot for all your advice.

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post #59 of 59
7/3/12 at 3:20pm

Another Epicski one-quiver success story.  What is that, 3 this year alone?

 

Thanks for the feedback, Yoichi.

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